Raising my kids, moment by moment,
is the hardest thing I have ever done.
because I know it matters.
because I want to do it right.
because I know I won't.
because I still must try.
And mostly because there is no way I can do it alone.
I made this blog as a place to gather the inspiration as well as somewhere to put the ridiculous amount of photos I take, trying desperately to see this crazy time in our lives for what it really is--soul stretching wonderfulness, I won't want to forget.

Friday, February 24, 2017

A Wonderful day in Wintery Waterton

Last week, while the kids were off school we spent some kid free days on a "Staycation" thanks to our awesome moms who took a few kids each (cuz unfortunately I know how dang difficult all five of them are together ;)

We had such a great time, got a few home projects done (not nearly as many as I over-zealously planned for), went to lunch with friends, went to yoga, did a break out room (of course) and just enjoyed being just us.

My very favorite day we spent in Waterton, snowshoeing up to Cameron lake. I was pretty much giddy the whole time, soaking in all the vitamin D filled sunshine gleaming off the picturesque snow.

I've been so bad about getting my "big camera" out, but I was very glad I did-- though my rusty photography skills definitely won't do justice to the winter mountain's beauty.

Ben's brother Dan and his lovely wife Kendra came along for the adventure.
They were total troopers, as it was all our first times snowshoeing. Dan even let us take pictures....okay he didn't really have a choice.

I was just trying to adjust my settings but I love this ready-whenever-my -wife-points-her-camera-my-way-smile that my hubby has totally mastered.

Not gonna lie, I sure love that I can hand my camera over to Kendra and get some good shots of us too. She's the best.

And I sure love to return the favour!

Such a cute couple, right?!?!?

"Please Daniel? Chelsea's only gonna take a hundred more!"

He was a good sport.

Meanwhile, Benny had a great time playing with his drone.

And I had fun playing with my camera and the amazing light as the sun sunk behind the mountain.

Just testing my exposure

So I could take a selfie with my gorgeous sister in law

Having been around Ben's family for half my life now, it's so interesting to have new in laws join the family. It's been so fun getting to know them and having fresh perspectives and ways of thinking being added in to our family's existed dynamics.

I have totally hit the jack-pot with all my sisters in law, and Kendra sure is included on that list I feel so grateful for.

She is SOOOOOO good with Daniel, I love watching how their relationship works, and a lot of that can be contributed to Kendra's incredible balance she maintains between her patient-accepting side with her ain't gonna-take-no-crap spunk, both of which I adore. I can tell she is fiercely loyal. And perhaps because of this extreme commitment to those she cares for, she doesn't just let anyone in. There's no half ways to love in this girls world.

On the way back in to Lethbridge, Daniel decided he had definitely earned himself some Ming's. We ran into Kendra's Dad during our stop and it was so sweet to watch the love--so obvious because there was no holding back. Car doors were swung open and out loud "I love you's" followed big enveloping hugs.

We have so much to learn from this girl's fearless way of loving.

And I can't wait.

Can't wait-- for all I'm gonna learn from this "new sister" of mine, and for the many, many more adventures yet to come!

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints

About Me

My attempt. Blogging is something that has intrigued me for a long time. But I just didn't know what I wanted my blog to be. I felt it SHOULD be our family journal, one you could print out and feel like I did my mommy-duty of recording our family's life. But I think what I NEED it to be, is somewhere my thought can STICK. I spend A LOT of time talking (on the phone especially), and thinking about stuff (mostly the gospel, my kids, my marriage and who I am, or hope to be) and it doesn't really go anywhere... other than in my friends ears, I guess. So I'm gonna try and put it all (who am I kidding!) okay, SOME of it on this blog. We'll see...